Battojutsu
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
term meaning techniques for engaging a sword
. It is often used interchangeably with the terms iaijutsu
, battōdō, or iaidō
, although each term does have nuances in the Japanese language and different schools of Japanese martial arts
may use them to differentiate between techniques (e.g. standing or sitting techniques). The emphasis of training in battōjutsu is on cutting with the sword. All terms are somewhat more specific than kenjutsu
(sword techniques) or kendō
(the Way of the sword), as the latter two refer mostly to techniques where the sword is already out of its scabbard (saya) and is therefore engaged in combat.
Battōjutsu usually incorporates multiple cuts after drawing the sword.
The emphasis of training in iaidō is on reaction to unknown situations, or reacting to sudden attack.
It is unclear when the term battōjutsu first originated. A notable early practitioner was Hayashizaki Jinsuke (c.1546–c.1621), the founder of the Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
and Musō Shinden-ryū
schools.
His remains are enshrined at Hayashizaki Jinja in the Tōhoku region of Japan.
Ryūha, or Japanese martial traditions, which teach battōjutsu are relatively uncommon in Japan, and less common in America
and other countries. This is in contrast to the relatively high degree of availability of open hand training, such as karate
and aikido
. Here is a partial list of ryūha which include what could be called battōjutsu in the broad sense of drawing and cutting from the saya, although some of them more often use the terms iaidō, iaijutsu, or battōdō.
(武芸流派大辞典, the Encyclopedia of Martial Arts Traditions) as koryū, or arts developed before the Meiji
era.
Listed in the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten as arts developed after the beginning of the Meiji era.
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
term meaning techniques for engaging a sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
. It is often used interchangeably with the terms iaijutsu
Iaijutsu
, the art of drawing the Japanese sword. One of Japanese martial disciplines in education of the classical warrior .-Etymology:"Iaijutsu" was known before the Tokugawa period but it is unclear exactly when the term "iaijutsu" first came into use, or when exactly drawing the katana from its...
, battōdō, or iaidō
Iaido
is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
, although each term does have nuances in the Japanese language and different schools of Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts refers to the enormous variety of martial arts native to Japan. At least three Japanese terms are often used interchangeably with the English phrase "Japanese martial arts": , literally meaning "martial way", , which has no perfect translation but means something like science,...
may use them to differentiate between techniques (e.g. standing or sitting techniques). The emphasis of training in battōjutsu is on cutting with the sword. All terms are somewhat more specific than kenjutsu
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
(sword techniques) or kendō
Kendo
, meaning "Way of The Sword", is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or kenjutsu.Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements.-Practitioners:Practitioners...
(the Way of the sword), as the latter two refer mostly to techniques where the sword is already out of its scabbard (saya) and is therefore engaged in combat.
Battōjutsu usually incorporates multiple cuts after drawing the sword.
The emphasis of training in iaidō is on reaction to unknown situations, or reacting to sudden attack.
It is unclear when the term battōjutsu first originated. A notable early practitioner was Hayashizaki Jinsuke (c.1546–c.1621), the founder of the Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryū
Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu
, is a koryū sword art, and one of the most widely practiced schools of iaijutsu in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back to the sixteenth century....
and Musō Shinden-ryū
Muso Shinden-ryu
is a iaijutsu koryū founded by Nakayama Hakudō , last sōke of the Shimomura branch of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. The term "iaidō" appeared in 1932 and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudō .-Particularities:...
schools.
His remains are enshrined at Hayashizaki Jinja in the Tōhoku region of Japan.
Ryūha, or Japanese martial traditions, which teach battōjutsu are relatively uncommon in Japan, and less common in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and other countries. This is in contrast to the relatively high degree of availability of open hand training, such as karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
. Here is a partial list of ryūha which include what could be called battōjutsu in the broad sense of drawing and cutting from the saya, although some of them more often use the terms iaidō, iaijutsu, or battōdō.
List of schools
Listed in the Bugei Ryuha DaijitenBugei Ryuha Daijiten
The or "Encyclopedia of Martial art schools", originally Bugei Ryuha Jiten , is a catalog of Koryū Bujutsu and Gendai Budō of Japanese martial arts...
(武芸流派大辞典, the Encyclopedia of Martial Arts Traditions) as koryū, or arts developed before the Meiji
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
era.
- Musō Jikiden Eishin-ryūMuso Jikiden Eishin-ryu, is a koryū sword art, and one of the most widely practiced schools of iaijutsu in the world. Often referred to simply as "Eishin-ryū," it claims an unbroken lineage dating back to the sixteenth century....
-- Traces back to the Hayashizaki-ryū Iai of Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Late 15th century) - Musō Shinden-ryūMuso Shinden-ryuis a iaijutsu koryū founded by Nakayama Hakudō , last sōke of the Shimomura branch of Hasegawa Eishin-ryū. The term "iaidō" appeared in 1932 and was popularized by Nakayama Hakudō .-Particularities:...
-- Traces back to the Hayashizaki-ryū Iai of Hayashizaki Jinsuke (Late 15th century) - Suiō-ryū Iai Kenpō -- Founded around 1600 by Mima Yoichizaemon Kagenobu
- Shin Shin Sekiguchi-ryū — Sekiguchi-ryū was founded by Sekiguchi Yorokuuemon Ujimune.
- Mugai-ryūMugai-ryuis a Japanese koryū martial art school founded by in 23rd June 1680.- History :The founder of Mugai ryu, Tsuji Gettan Sukemochi 辻月丹資茂 was born to Tsuji Yadayū descendant of Sasaki Takadzuna, in the second year of Keihan ,in the Miya-mura-aza village area 宮村字 of Masugi 馬杉, in the Kōka-gun district...
-- Founded in 1693 by Tsuji Gettan SukemochiTsuji Gettan SukemochiTsuji Gettan Sukemochi was a Japanese swordsman who founded the kenjutsu of Mugai-ryū in 1695. Tsuji Gettan was born in Masugimura, Omi as the second son to a local samurai...
, who had previously learned Yamaguchi-ryū kenjutsu. - Jigen-ryūJigen-ryuJigen-ryū is a traditional school of Japanese martial arts founded in the late 16th century by Togo Chui in Satsuma Province, now Kagoshima prefecture, Kyushu, Japan. It focuses mainly on the art of swordsmanship...
-- Founded by Tōgō Hizen-no-kami Shigetada, its lineage traces back to the Shintō-ryū of Iizasa Chōisai Ienao. - Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryūTenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryuis one of the oldest extant Japanese martial arts, and an exemplar of koryū bujutsu. The Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū was founded by Iizasa Ienao, born 1387 in Iizasa village , who was living near Katori Shrine at the time...
-- Founded in the 15th Century by Iizasa Chōisai Ienao. - Yagyū Shinkage-ryūYagyu Shinkage-ryuis one of the oldest Japanese schools of swordsmanship . Its primary founder was Kamiizumi Nobutsuna, who called the school Shinkage-ryū. In 1565, Nobutsuna bequeathed the school to his greatest student, Yagyū Munetoshi, who added his own name to the school. Today, the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū remains...
-- From the Shinkage-ryū of Yagyū Muneyoshi, who studied under Kamiizumi Nobutsuna in the 16th Century. - Yoshin-ryū -- from the Yoshin-ryū founded by Akiyama Shirobei Yoshitoki in the mid 17th Century.
Listed in the Bugei Ryuha Daijiten as arts developed after the beginning of the Meiji era.
- Toyama-ryūToyama-ryuis Battōjutsu which refer to a combination of Iaijutsu, kata, and tameshigiri created by the Imperial Japanese Army. It is based on Gunto Soho forms developed in 1925 at the Rikugun Toyama Gakko, or "Toyama Army Academy" in Toyama, Tokyo, Japan. The original training and forms were established by...
-- Founded in the late 19th, early 20th century to instruct officers at the Toyama Military Academy. - Nakamura-ryū -- Founded by Nakamura Taizaburō in the mid-20th century, who had taught Toyama-ryū at the Toyama Military Academy.
Battōjutsu in popular culture
- In the Japanese series and films of ZatoichiZatoichiis a fictional character featured in one of Japan's longest running series of films and a television series set in the Edo period. The character, a blind masseur and swordmaster, was created by novelist . This originally minor character was developed for the screen by Daiei Studios and actor...
, the protagonist mainly uses IaidōIaidois a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
techniques when fighting with his shikomi-zue. - The character Ukyo Tachibana in Samurai ShodownSamurai ShodownSamurai Shodown, known as in Japan, is a competitive fighting game produced by SNK for their Neo Geo arcade and home platform. In contrast to other fighting games at the time which were set in modern times and focused primarily on hand-to-hand combat, Samurai Shodown is set in feudal-era Japan ...
fights with his sword sheathed, drawing it in a style similar to battōjutsu. - The character Setsuka in Soulcalibur III uses a Shikomi-zue style katana concealed in the shaft of an umbrella, in a manner similar to battōjutsu. Also, the character Mitsurugi has several stance techniques resembling battōjutsu.
- In Samurai Warriors 2Samurai Warriors 2is a sequel to the original Samurai Warriors, created by Koei and Omega Force. The game was released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, and received a port to Microsoft Windows in 2008....
, some of Akechi MitsuhideAkechi Mitsuhide, nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...
's attacks came out from his scabbard. One happens as a charge attack, one occurs during his normal attack, and two come from his special stance: a super-fast forward cut that leaves a shadow for a brief moment, and a counter. - In Dynasty Warriors 4 and 5 Extreme Legends, Zhou TaiZhou TaiZhou Tai , style name Youping , was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Early life and career:...
uses it in his normal, charge and musou attacks. - In Bushido Blade 2, Gengoro, when equipped with the katana, has a series of attacks and stances from battojutsu.
- Future Hiro NakamuraHiro Nakamurais a fictional character on the NBC fantasy drama Heroes who possesses the ability of space-time manipulation. This means that Hiro is able to alter the flow of time. Previously, his ability allowed him to teleport, stop time, or travel through time, but recent events in the series have prevented...
in HeroesHeroes (TV series)Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the...
reveals that he trained in Tōhoku in battōjutsu. - In Rurouni KenshinRurouni Kenshin, also known as Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai X, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The fictional setting takes place during the early Meiji period in Japan. The story is about a fictional assassin named Himura Kenshin, from the Bakumatsu who becomes a wanderer to...
, the protagonist Himura KenshinHimura Kenshin, known as Kenshin Himura in the English-language anime dubs, is a fictional character from the Rurouni Kenshin universe created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. He is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series, as well as the related media in the franchise...
is a practitioner of the fictional Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryū (飛天御剣流, lit. "Flying Heaven Honourable Sword Style"), which utilizes superhumanly-fast Battōjutsu-oriented techniques. This skill earns him the title of "Battōsai" ("Master of Sword Drawing") during the Meiji RestorationMeiji RestorationThe , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
. - In the video game series Fire EmblemFire Emblemis a fantasy tactical role-playing video game franchise developed by Intelligent Systems , the maker of Advance Wars , and published by Nintendo...
, the Sword Master class uses a form of Battōjutsu as his or her attack. Specifically in the seventh installment, Lord character Lyn uses Battōjutsu-like attacks when battling. - In Devil May Cry 3: Dante's AwakeningDevil May Cry 3: Dante's AwakeningDevil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening, released in Japan as simply , is an action game that was developed and published by Capcom, released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2...
, Vergil's attacks with Yamato resemble Battōjutsu as well as Iaidō. - In 9 Dragons, members of the Wu Tang Blue Dragon class can acquire a Battōjutsu special attack at higher levels.
- In the anime and video game series Sakura TaisenSakura Warsis a Japanese media franchise created by Ouji Hiroi, and is developed and owned by Sega and licensed by Red Entertainment and Sega. The franchise centers on a series of dramatic fantasy and science-fantasy tactical role-playing adventure video games, which consist of tactical wargame and dating sim...
, Sakura Shinguji wields the same method of fighting with her Arataka. - In the Guilty Gear video game series, Johnny and Baiken uses stances and attacks from battōjutsu.
- In No More HeroesNo More Heroes (video game), is an action video game for the Wii video game system. It was directed by Goichi Suda , developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and published by Marvelous Entertainment Inc., Ubisoft and Rising Star Games...
, the protagonist Travis Touchdown performs movements resembling Battōjutsu during the pre-battle animation while equipped with the Tsubaki MkIII. He does not, however, actually strike an opponent in such a manner. - In BleachBleach (manga)is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Noriaki "Tite" Kubo. Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a —a death personification similar to the Grim Reaper—from another Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki...
the anime exclusive character Patros uses a style reminiscent of iaidōIaidois a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
. - In Lupin the Third Goemon Ishikawa XIIIGoemon Ishikawa XIIIis a fictional character created by Monkey Punch for his Lupin III series. Goemon is the thirteenth generation of renegade samurai, a descendant of the historical figure Ishikawa Goemon...
wields his zantetsuken (katana sword) in a style resembling IaidoIaidois a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
and battojutsuBattojutsuis a Japanese term meaning techniques for engaging a sword. It is often used interchangeably with the terms iaijutsu, battōdō, or iaidō, although each term does have nuances in the Japanese language and different schools of Japanese martial arts may use them to differentiate between techniques...
. In one of Lupin's movies Goemon Ishikawa XIIIGoemon Ishikawa XIIIis a fictional character created by Monkey Punch for his Lupin III series. Goemon is the thirteenth generation of renegade samurai, a descendant of the historical figure Ishikawa Goemon...
even gives credit to Hayashizaki Jinsuke Minamoto no Shigenobu (林崎甚助重信) for creating this style. - In Samurai Deeper KyoSamurai Deeper Kyois a manga series written and illustrated by Akimine Kamijyo. The manga was serialized from October 15, 1999 to May 10, 2006 in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine, and collected over 38 volumes....
Jimon uses hienken which resembles battoujutsu. - Takamichi T. Takahata of Mahou Sensei Negima! uses the fictional art, the iaiken (drawing of the fist), which replaces the sword scabbard with his pockets and the sword with his fist. this allows him to deliver super fast punches that can knock out his opponents with just the fist air pressure.
- Jin Kisaragi of The Blazblue series fights using techniques similar to Battōjutsu.